Game table



Aug. 23, 1938. H. P, sATTLE GAME TABLE Filed Jan. 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l mwHwNNNNHEl xNvENToR HAROLD P. BATTLE @aL/Ble M ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1938. H R BATTLE 2,127,805

GAME TABLE Filed Jan. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-'Sheet 2 llol w /f I7 47 45 E DNVNBTTTLE 2a 46 HA ol. 44%/ Q/ lf M/ Y BY 49 45 ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1938.

GAME TABLE Filed Jan. 27, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l a 70 W m W0 www E mm ED NA WB l m R Iv 4 w f QO mmnmwwgwmwgwwgo@ d M lull H w l @@@Qwgmwgg Il 7o 2 v T 98765 .......l7A w T981 6545210 @MUPQQmIOWUGGGGUGGGG O All A@ P VSO @@EMUQQQQQMUGGOGUGGGG m E ,70 MMO M ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME TABLE Application January 27, 1937, Serial No. 122,537

8 Claim.

This invention relates to game tables. It is particularly directed to a table for playing bridge or other card games and having scoring devices incorporated into the table top.

An object of this invention is to provide an article of the character described, wherein the scoring devices are easy to manipulate and exposed to view during playing of the game.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a game table of the character described, improved means to prevent accidental change 0i the score indicating devices after the score is set and while the hands are being played.

A further object of this invention is to provide a neat, compact and durable article of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and, withal, practical and eicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a game table with scoring devices embodying the invention;

- Fig. 2 is a partial side view of the table illustrating the release lever for actuating the locking pins for the scoring strips or plates;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the card table embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional View similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating the locking mechanism in releasing position;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of plate or strip for indicating whether or not a team is vulnerable or not vulnerable;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of one of the strips or plates used in my invention for indicating points below the line;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of one of the scoring strips or plates used for indicating total points; and

Figs. 10, 11 and l2 are top views of scoring strips or plates used for indicating the bidding.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I0

designates a table which may be of any suitable construction, but is here shown for the purpose of illustration in the form oi a card table with collapsible or foldable legs il supporting the table top l2. The table top preferably comprises a bottom board or member Ill made of wood or any other suitable material, and a top cover l5 therefor. The portions I4, I5 of the table are carried by a frame I5 comprising a pair of opposite parallel walls Il and a pair of opposite parallel walls Iii. The cover I5 is marked with letters N and S adjacent walls Il to indicate north and south, when playing bridge, and also marked with letters E and W to indicate east and west.

The table portion I4 is formed in the top surface thereof, adjacent the table portion I5, with a plurality of parallel grooves extending from south to nort and described in detail hereinafter. Adjacent the middle of the table is a group of three parallel adjacent grooves I9, 20 and 2l. The grooves I9 and 2li are of substantially the same length, but the groove 2l may be somewhat shorter. On each side of the central group oi grooves is a group of four similar grooves 22. Slidably mounted within the groove I9 is an elongated scoring strip or plate I9a illustrated in Fig. IIJ of the drawings.

Within the groove 20 is a scoring strip or plate 20ay illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The strip 20a is likewise shorter than the groove 29 to permit sliding movement of the strip. Within the groove 2l is a scoring strip or plate 2 Ia illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawings, and likewise shorter than said groove. Within each of the grooves 22 is a scoring strip or plate 22uy illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and likewise shorter than the grooves 22. Within each of the grooves 23 is a strip or plate 23a, illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and within each of the grooves Z4 is a scoring strip or plate 24a. It will be noted that all of the scoring strips or plates are of less length than their grooves, so that the same may be slidably moved lengthwise within the grooves. The strips or plates are preferably flat and fit within the grooves so as to be flush with the upper surface of the table portion I4 and held in the grooves by the top plate I5.

The strip ISa is formed adjacent one end thereof with 19 consecutive openings indicated by numerals ISU. The first 9 openings are marked at the right with the digits 0, I, 2, 3, Il, 5, 6, 1, 8 and 9 respectively. The last 10 openings are marked on the left with the digits 0, I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l, 8 and 9 respectively. The

central opening is thus marked Il on the left and 9 on the right. The openings 3b are spaced apart equal distances. Adjacent the upper end of the strip lila appear the numbers 0, I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l, 8 and 5 spaced apart the same distance which separates the openings i917.

The strip 20a, is similar to the strip IliaI with the exception that adjacent the opening marked I, at the bottom end of the strip, is the letter C to indicate the club suit; adjacent the opening marked 2 at the bottom of the strip is the letter D indicating the diamond suit; adjacent the opening marked 3 at the bottom of the strip is the letter H indicating the heart suit; and adjacent the opening marked 4 is the letter S indicating the spade suit. At the top of the strip surrounding the numbers I, 2, 3 and 4, are the representations of the club, diamond, heart and spade suits respectively.

The strip Ela is provided with three equally spaced apart openings 2lb, adjacent the bottom end thereof. The bottom one is marked on the right side with a 0. The second opening is marked DE which indicates double The third opening is marked RD which indicates redouble Adjacent the top of the strip appear three notations, the iirst being a the second the word Double and the third the word Redouble These notations are spaced apart distances equal to the distances between openings 2lb.

The strip 22d is similar to the strip IQa with the exception that the set of numerals at the top of the strip are closer to the set oi openings and the former strip is shorter than the latter. The strips 23a are exactly similar to the strips ISa. The strip 24a has three equally spaced apart openings 24h adjacent the bottom. The bottom opening is marked with a 0 and the second opening is marked with the letters VE indicating vulnerable Adjacent the top of the strip are marked Il and thereabove the word vulnerable The member I5 covering the member I4 is provided with a number of openings and slots exposing various portions of the scoring plates, and described in detail hereinafter. Above the groove I9 and plate IScL, the member I5 is formed with an elongated slot 3U extending from south to north The width of the slot 30 is substantially equal to the width of the plate I9@ and groove I9. The length of the slot 30 is sufficient to expose 10 of the openings I9b.

Above the groove 2D and plate 23a is a slot 3| in the member I 5 similar to and coextensive with the slot 30 and likewise adapted to expose 10 of the openings in the plate a.. Above the groove 2| and plate 2Ia is a slot 32 or sufficient length to expose 3 openings. One end of the slot 32 is aligned with the adjacent ends of the slots 3D and 3|.

The member I5 is formed with a plurality of slots 33 above the grooves 22 and plates 22a.. These slots are likewise of sulicient length to expose l0 openings in the plates 22a and are coextensive or aligned with the slots 30, 3|. The member I5 is formed with slots 34 above the grooves 23 and plates 23a. Each slot 34 exposes 10 openings in the plates 23a and said slots are coextensive and aligned with the slots 30, 3| and 33.

Said member I5 is formed with slots 35 above the grooves 24 and plates 24a. The slots 35 are short and adapted to expose only two openings in said plates 24 and are disposed adjacent the lower ends of the slots 3D, 3|, 33 and 34.

The member I5 is furthermore formed with square openings 39a, 3m` and 32a, aligned with the slots 30, 3| and 32 and adapted to expose one number on each of the scoring plates Illa, 20a and 2Ia. The openings 30a, Sla.' and 32a, are aligned with one another and spaced from the slots 3B, 3| and 32. The member I5 is furthermore formed with aligned openings 33a, preferably square shaped and aligned with the slots 33. Each opening 33a exposes one number on each of the plates 22a. It Will thus be noted that there are four openings 33a on each side of the middle of the table. The openings 33a need not be aligned with the openings a., the position or these openings being a matter of design, although it determines the position of the numbers at the upper ends of the plates 22a, as will appear hereinafter. The member more formed, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, with openings 34al aligned With the slots 34. There are two openings 34 on each side of the table and each is adapted to uncover one number on a plate 23a.. Openings 35a aligned with the slots 35 are also formed in the member I5, as shown in the drawings.

The positions of the openings 30a., 3Ia.J 32a, 33a, 34a and 35a may be arranged as shown on the table, or in any other suitable attractive arrangement. The position of said openings, however, relative to the numbers of markings at the upper ends of the scoring plates, must be such that the number or marking exposed to view through said openings corresponds to the number or marking shown at the bottom of the slots 30, 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35.

The slots 30, 3 I, 33 and 34 which are sufliciently long to expose I0 openings in the scoring plates exposed by said slots show the same number at the top and bottom ends of the slots, one number being on the right and the other on the left. Looking through the slot 30, for example, there 3 is seen at the upper end of the slot and 3 at the bottom end of the slot. Looking at the opening 30a, 3 is also seen.

Upon moving the scoring plates up or down, diirerent numbers will be seen through the openings aligned with said slots. Looking at the slots 33 at the right of the table, as shown in Fig. 1, the numbers 0, I, 2, II appear at the bottom (and also at the top) of said slots. The numbers 0, I, 2, IJ are also exposed or seen through the opening 33d above said slots. If a linger were inserted into the opening marked 5 on the plate |9a and the plate moved downwardly until the nger contacts the bottom end of the slot, 5 would be exposed in the opening 30a. If it were desired to expose 2 in the opening 33a, the finger is inserted into the opening |512 of the plate I9a marked 2 on the left, and the plate moved upwardly until the nger contacts the upper end of the slot 3U and 2 will then be exposed in the opening 30a. Thus, the plates I9a, 20a, 22a and 23a may be moved either up or down to bring them into correct score indicating position. If the number desired to be exposed is on the right of the openings in the score plate, the scoring plate is moved down, and if the numbers are on the left of said openings the scoring plate is moved up. With this construction, sliding movements of the plates are shortened.

Although the scoring device may be used for various card games, it is particularly adapted for scoring and playing bridge. To this end the I5 is furtherletter B is marked below the openings 38a, Bla and 32a to indicate bidding. Above the opening 3Ia are arrows pointing to the left and to the right. The letters E 8i W are beneath the arrow pointing to the left indicating east and west The letters N & S are beneath the arrow pointing to the right indicating north and south Below the openings 33a on both sides of the table is the letter T indicating total score. Beneath the openings 34 on both sides of the table are the letters P indicating points below the line or points toward game or rubber. Beneath the openings 35 is the letter V meaning vulnerable. If the bid is three clubs, the

Y' plate IQa is moved tov position for exposing the 3 in the opening Ella. The plate 2da is moved to expose the representation of a club in the opening 3Ia. If there is no double or redouble, the plate Zia is' moved to expose an 0 in the opening 32a. If there is a double, the plate 2Ia, is moved to expose the word Double and if the bidding includes a redouble, said plate im. is moved to expose the word Redouble through the opening 32a. The plates 22a, which indicate the total point scoring may be operated after each hand is played. The same is true of the plates 23a which indicate the points below the line. The bidding and vulnerable scoring is changed if necessary before each hand is played. It will now be understood that the total point score, the points. below the line, the bid and the indication of whether or not a team is vulnerable is information always at the players hand right on the table.

Means is provided to hold the plates` against sliding movement to prevent accidental change of the score indicating mechanism. To this end, the walls I8 of the table frame are formed with aligned vertical guides d. Slidably mounted in the guides. for vertical movement is a cross piece 4I. Fixed to the upper edge of the plate- 1I are a plurality of pins i2 adapted to engage within vertical openings 26 communicating with the grooves I9, 20, 2l, 22, 23 and 24 and disposed adjacent the south ends of the slots 30, 3l, 32, 33, 34 and 35. The upper ends of the pins e2 are adapted to be received within the openings in the scoring plates. Coil tension springs 44 attached at one end to the guides and at the other end to the sliding across piece 4I serve to retain the pins normally in engagement with the openings of the scoring plates.

For moving the cross piece 4I downwardly to release the scoring plates to permit movement thereof, there is pivoted to the side walls I8, as at 45, members '16 pivotally engaging, as at 4l, the cross piece lll. Journalled within the frame walls I8 and disposed parallel to the member lll and between said member and the pivots 45 is` a shaft 48 provided with cams or eccentrics 49 above the pivoted members d5. A handle 50 on the shaft. 48 permits turning of said shaft to operate the locking pins. In the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the shaft is at such an angle as to permit the springs 44 to pull up the cross piece 4I and retain the pins in plate-looking position. Upon turning the handle 50, 90 degrees, however, the cam fig will push down the members 46 for lowering the cross piece 4l and release the scoring plates. After the scoring plates have been moved to their proper position, the handle may be moved to its original'position to release the members it and permit the springs 44 to again move the cross piece 4I upwardly to lock the scoring plates.

The grooves I9, 20, 22 and 23 extend suiciently beyond the slots 30, 3l, 33 and 34 to permit movement of the plates therein a distance of ten nger openings, as shown in the drawings.

It will thus be seen that there is provided all device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as variouschanges might be made in the embodiment above forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense..

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new my desire to secure by Letters Patent:

i. A scoring device comprising a fiat board, a plurality of parallel plates slidably mounted on the board,' a member on said board covering said f plates and formed with openings to expose portions of said plates, and releasable means for locking said plates against sliding movement.

2. A scoring device comprising a at board, a top, a plurality of parallel plates slidably mounted on said board, a member on said board covering said plates and formed with openings to expose portions of said plates and slots to expose other portions of said plates, said plates being formed with a plurality of openings adapted to be exposed by said slots, and releasable means for locking said plates against sliding movement, said means comprising a member mounted forl vertical movement on said board and having pins adapted to engage within said openings any said plates.

3. A scoring device comprising a member having a groove in the upper surface thereof, an elongated straight plate slidably mounted in said groove, a second member covering the first member and being formed with two aligned openings to expose different portions of said plate one opening being longer than the other, said plate being formed with a plurality of openings adjacent one end, a mark on said plate adjacent each of the openings therein, a plurality of said marks adapted to be exposed by longer one of the openings in said second member, and marks on another portion of said plate corresponding to the first mentioned marks and adapted to be individually exposed by the other opening in said second member.

4. A scoring device comprising a member having agroove in the upper surface thereof, an elongated plate slidably mounted in said groove, a second member covering the first member and being formed with two aligned openings to expose different portions` of said plate, said plate being formed with a plurality of openings adjacent one end, a mark on said plate adjacent each of the openings therein, said marks adapted to be exposed by one of the openings in said second member, marks on another portion of said plate corresponding to the rst mentioned marks and adapted to be exposed by the other opening in said second member, said first member being formed with a through opening communicating with said groove, a third member mounted for sliding movement perpendicular to said first member, and a pin` thereon received within said through opening in said first member and adapted to engage within an opening in said plate.

5. A scoring device comprising a member having a groove in the upper surface thereof, an

elongated plate slidably mounted in said groove, a second member covering the rst member and being formed with two aligned openings to expose different portions of said plate, said plate being formed with a plurality of openings adjacent one end, a mark on said plate adjacent each of the openings therein, said marks adapted to be exposed by one of the openings in said second member, marks on another portion of said plate corresponding to the first mentioned marks and adapted to be exposed by the other opening in said second member, said iirst member being formed with a through opening communicating with said groove, a third member mounted for sliding movement perpendicular to said first member, a pin thereon received within said through opening in said iirst member and adapted to engage within an opening in said plate, and means for moving said third member to release said pin from said plate.

6. A scoring device comprising upper and lower superimposed members, the lower member having parallel grooves in the top surface thereof, the upper member having slots registering with portions of said grooves, and openings aligned with said slots registering with other portions of said grooves, plates slidably mounted within said grooves, said plates each having a portion formed with 19 openings, and said slots being of such length as to expose 10 of such openings in each plate, other portions of said plates being marked with the ten digits, one of said digits being adapted to be exposed at a time through each of the openings in the upper member.

7. In a scoring device for a bridge game, a

board means on said board to indicate the bidding, total points scored by each team, points below the line of each team, and Whether or not the teams are vulnerable, said indicating means being exposed to view at the top of the said board, and means to prevent accidental movement of the indicating means relative to said board.

8. A scoring device comprising a member having a groove in the upper surface thereof, an elongated plate slidably mounted in said groove, a second member covering the rst member and being formed with two aligned openings to expose diierent portions of saidplate, said plate being formed with a plurality of openings adjacent one end, a mark on said plate adjacent each of the openings therein, said marks adapted to be exposed by one of the openings in said second member, marks on another portion of said plate corresponding to the first mentioned marks and adapted to be exposed by the other opening in said second member, said iirst member being formed with a through opening communicating with said groove, a third member mounted for sliding movement perpendicular to said first member, a pin thereon received Within said through opening in said plate, means for moving said third member to release said pin from said plate, said means comprising a member pivoted at one end to the table and at the other end to said third member, a shaft journalled on said table below the table top, a handle on said shaft disposed at the side of the table, and a cam on said shaft adapted to engage said pivoted member.

HAROLD P. BATTLE. 

